Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
My hand sliced through my hair. I wasn’t sure how much more I could take.
My phone went off with a text from Bubba.
Bubba: He’s here. The main barn is now on fire. This isn’t another accident.
“What’s wrong?” Chad and Randy both asked in unison.
“Jonathon’s at the ranch.”
##
The second Randy told the FBI Jonathon was at the ranch, I found myself, along with Chad and Randy a few other FBI agents, in a helicopter.
Talking through the mic, I said, “There’s the smoke, you can land in that field.”
It hadn’t taken us long to get back to the ranch. The moment the helicopter landed, I went to jump out, but Agent Hollows held me back and shook his head. “We don’t know where he is.”
“We do!” I yelled into the mic. “He was at the main barn.”
Agent Hollows shook his head. “He wants everyone to think he’s here at this spot. Where is Ms. Wilson?”
“I haven’t been able to get anyone to answer my texts. I think they’re all working the fire.”
“Krista!” I heard Chad say. We turned to see Krista, MaryAnne, and Mallory all standing back away from the barn, Howdy next to them with a rifle in his hands.
“That’s Mallory,” I said as Agent Hollows gave the order for everyone to get out. The agents all spread out to search for Jonathon as Chad and I rushed over to the girls.
“Are you okay?” I asked as I looked Mallory over.
“Yes, everyone is fine. Bubba and Larson were able to get all the animals out of the barn, Bubba was here. He saw Jonathon and started to chase him, he said. He ran into the barn and suddenly it caught fire. Bubba texted Billy ‘911 fire at main barn’ and we all piled into trucks and came.”
“I’m glad they didn’t leave you alone,” I said.
She shook her head. “Billy wasn’t about to leave us. He said he knew it was most likely a trap.”
“Has anyone seen Jonathon?” Agent Hollows asked no one in particular.
“No, not since Bubba chased him into the barn.”
“Mallory, this is Agent Hollows. He’s with the FBI.”
Reaching her hand out, Mallory shook it. “Hello, Agent Hollows.”
“Fire’s almost out!” Jimmy said as he made his way up to us. “Volunteer firefighters were here fast.”
“We’re sure everyone and everything got out?”
Jimmy nodded. “Bubba started opening stalls and they all took off running. Not many were in the barn, though, since they were out to pasture. Just three. Larson had already moved the mares and foals to the west pasture barn.”
I sighed in relief. “Quick action from everyone. Thank you.”
Jimmy smiled. “It was Bubba. If he hadn’t insisted on coming to the main barn, who knows what would have happened.”
I turned to Mallory and drew her in for a hug. “It’s okay. We’re going to find him.”
“This probably isn’t the best of times, but is there somewhere we can speak, Ms. Wilson?”
Mallory laced her fingers with mine. “Yes, um, I’m sure Billy and MaryAnne won’t mind us using their house.”
MaryAnne motioned for Agent Hollows to follow her. He gave some orders to the other agents, and asked Jimmy if he could help them and possibly spare another ranch hand since the fire was out. I wasn’t about to leave Mallory, even if I wanted to find Jonathon first and kill him with my bare hands.
We headed back to the house and were soon seated at the dining room table, drinks in front of everyone. Billy was covered in soot and looked like he wanted to take a shower. I leaned over and said, “Dude, you can go get cleaned up. He’s just going to interview Mallory about the kidnapping.”
He nodded. “Thanks, I think I will. I’m going to go out and check with Bubba and the fire department first.”
After excusing himself, Agent Hollows focused in on Mallory. “I’m sorry that we’re meeting like this, Ms. Wilson.”
She gave him a polite smile.
“Would you mind starting from the beginning and tell me what happened, right up until Mr. Sanders found you in his pasture.”
Mallory was about to speak when she suddenly went white as a ghost. “Did you hear that?”
Everyone paused.
“Hear what?” I asked.
“That laugh. It’s him. He’s in the house. He’s in the house!”
Before anyone could say anything, Jonathon appeared. Agent Hollows drew his gun, but Jonathon shot him.
Krista screamed, and Chad grabbed her and held her to him. Mallory stood on the other side of the kitchen, too stunned to move. Jonathon had the gun pointed at her.
“What are the damn odds you’d end up with him?”
His voice sounded full of anger, and when he looked at me, he snarled his lip. He focused back on Mallory.
“I thought for sure you’d know who I was that first day I walked into the house to interview you, but you had no clue. I could have taken you at any moment, but I liked the little game of hide and seek. At least until you got your memory back and started to piece everything together. I knew it wouldn’t take you long to figure out where you had been held captive, and that was going to be a little too close to home for my liking.”